Single most

[nq:1]how should I interpret single: "The invention of gunpowder was the single most destructive achievement in history" is it equivalent to exclusively?[/nq]
Indeed. It's an intensifier. It's possible to have more than one "best", since things can tie for first place. The addition of "single" makes it clear there is only one "best" in this case.
Adrian

[nq:1]how should I interpret single: "The invention of gunpowder was the single most destructive achievement in history" is it equivalent to exclusively?[/nq]
"Single" is simply an intensifier for "most destructive." Otherwise, it does not affect the meaning of the sentence. It means something like, "The invention of gunpowder was the most destructive achievement in history. I reaaly mean it.

[nq:1]how should I interpret single: "The invention of gunpowder was the single most destructive achievement in history" is it equivalent to exclusively?[/nq]
"Single" is simply an intensifier for "most destructive." Otherwise, it does not affect the meaning of the sentence. It means something like, "The invention of gunpowder was the most destructive achievement in history. I really mean it.

[nq:1]how should I interpret single: "The invention of gunpowder was the single most destructive achievement in history" is it equivalent to exclusively?[/nq]
furthermore, if I say "in the 80's", does it mean the period of 1980-1990?

The inimitable Ieyasu (Email Removed) stated one day
[nq:1]furthermore, if I say "in the 80's", does it mean the period of 1980-1990?[/nq]
Could be any time period from January 1, 1980, to December 21,
1989.

[nq:2]furthermore, if I say "in the 80's", does it mean the period of 1980-1990?[/nq]
[nq:1]Could be any time period from January 1, 1980, to December 21, 1989.[/nq]
The last ten days were just a running start into the 90's, it appears. (Yes, I do recognize typos, but it kind of leads to a usage question.) The true answer may depend on how you are thinking about the "80's". If you mean the

Thus spake CyberCypher:
[nq:2]furthermore, if I say "in the 80's", does it mean the period of 1980-1990?[/nq]
[nq:1]Could be any time period from January 1, 1980, to December 21, 1989.[/nq]
No, no, no, no, no! 1980 was the last year of the 70s. I thought we agreed on this three years ago.

Simon R. Hughes

The inimitable Simon R. Hughes (Email Removed) stated one day
[nq:1]Thus spake CyberCypher:[/nq]
[nq:1]No, no, no, no, no! 1980 was the last year of the 70s. I thought we agreed on this three years ago.[/nq]
I wasn't here three years ago, Simon. I do know that it is the last year of 1970s based on the idea that we start our decadal counts from the year 1, rather unlike the way we start

[nq:1]furthermore, if I say "in the 80's", does it mean the period of 1980-1990?[/nq]
Each person will have his own answer to this question. For me, "the '80s" begins on September 2, 1980. I'm less certain when the '80s ended (in many respects I think we're still in the '80s). I may have to get back to you on that one. I think by October or so of 1993 we were in the '90s.

[nq:2]No, no, no, no, no! 1980 was the last year of the 70s. I thought we agreed on this three years ago.[/nq]
[nq:1]I wasn't here three years ago, Simon.[/nq]
Here meaning where? Or should I say, Who? Google Advanced Group Search has posts from Franke going back to 1998, and a few that look similar from a Bill Franke in Taiwan in 1997.

How time flies Donna Richoux